Type-writing machine.



w. r. HELMO'ND. TYPE WRITING MACHINE. AP PLIOATION FILED FBB.26, 1909;

Patented Aug. 10, 1909.

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"and s rains ATET oirnien WlLLIAM F. HELMOND, OF HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT, ASSIGNOR TO UNDERWOOD TYPE- WRITER COMPANY. OF NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION OF NEW JER TYlPE-WRITING MACHINE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 10, 1909.

Application filed February 26, 1909. Serial No. 480,110.

T 0 (ZZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, WIL IA F. HELMOND, a citizen of theUni'ted States, residing in Hartford, in the county of Hartford and State of Connecticut, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Typeriting Machines, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to means for setting back the power-driven carriage of a typewriting machine a step at a time by means of a key usually placed at the keyboard. It has been usual to employ, for this purpose, a dog or pawl which is pivoted, the pivotal action permitting the pawl to return to normal position independently of the carriage rack alter back-spacing the latter. The consequence ol' pivoting the pawl, however, is to render the carriage liable to overthrow at the back-spacing operation, since a pivoted pawl cannot ol' itsell' restrain the carriage against (")YQllLlllOiV. Various methods have been adopted to prevent this faul action ol the ca The object of the present invention is to provide a simple and reliable mechanism for hack-spacing the carriage and guarding against overtl'n-ow thereol'. To this end, a buck-sparing dog is employed, which is incapable ol' being forced, out ol the rack by the action ol't io latter thereon when the carriage is driven back violently. So long as the dog is in, engagement with the rack, the movement of the latter is positivel limited, the dog being incapable of being depressed or of escaping l'roni the rack in the manner of the ordinary pivoted pawl.

instead ol mounting the dog in the plane ol' the rack, to swing up and down into and 'out ol' engagement with its teeth, the dog in the present instance is mounted at one side of the rack, and is movedv first laterally into engagement with the rack teeth and then backwardly to back-space the carriage: a stop being placed in the path of the dog to limit its baekwm-d movement. and the dog serving as a positive lock against overthrow. Upon release of the key the dog lirst moves l.-i.l'orall out. of engagement with tho rack and then springs to liol'iilnl position; llltlt' being in all four movements of lhc dog.

Thus the rack and carriage are brought under positive control-with excellent results, and the back-spacing key may be operated rapidly and violently, without liability of *laulty action on the part of the carriage.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 'l. is a front view showing the present invention applied to the carriage of the well known Underwood typewriting machine; the parts being shown in normal positions. .Fig. 2 is a fragmentary view showing the rack as having been spaced backward by the back-spacing dog. Fig. 3 is a top front perspective view ol the back-spacing devices. Fig. 4 is a sectional side elevation showing the par-ts in normal positions. F is a l'ragi'nentary side elevation showing the dog as having been swung into engagement with the rack. Fig. 6 is a plan of the back-spacing devices in normal positions. Fig. 7 is a plan showing the abnormal positions of the parts.

A. carnage 1 is connected by a stra 2 to a driving spring-barrel3, and has a reieasable rack i hung by arms 5 on the carriage, one of said arms'carrying a release key The rack normally rests upon a roll 7. "The teeth are upon. the under side of the rack and in mesh with a pinion 8, which is connected by pawls 9 to an escapement wheel 10; the movements of the latter coi-itrolled through dogs ll by means of the type keys 12.

At the keyboard isprovided a hark-space key 13 upon the forward end of a lever 14, which extends forwardly from a rock-shalt 15, the latter crossing the machine and having at its other end a depressible arm 16. From. the latter extends upwardly a link 17, which is pivoted at its upper end at it; to an arm 1!) extending horizontally from an upstanding baclespacing dog or dog-lever 20, the latter having a tooth'iZl to engage the rack. This dog 20 is capable of a very limited movement about a pivot 2 from the Fig.

1 position to the Fig.2 positiomand it will he seen that the direction of this movement is substantially in the same direction as the movement ol the rack l. 'lhe pivot22 is about perpcmlicularly under the dog, and in consequence, when the dog is in engagement with the rack, the latter is loekml to the l'or-' mer, and cannot moveindepemlentlythereof.

Normally the dog or its tooth 21 stands alongside of or in rear of the rack, as seen in Fig. 4. A depression of the key 13 operates through the link '17, to swing'the dog laterally into engagement with the rack, as at Fig. 5. This swinging movement is provided for by pivoting thedog at 22 upon an ear 23 forme upon an arm or lever 24, which is pivoted at 25 u on the framework 26, to swing toward the rent and rear of the'machine. It will be seen at Figs. 4 and 5 that the point of connection at 18 between the link 17 and the dog 20 is forward of the pivot 25; and in consequence, a downward pull on the link 17 tends to swing the lever 24 forwardly.

When the key 13 is depressed, the rock shaft 15 turns-and the arm 16 descends, pulling down the link 17 and swinging the lever 24 (together with the dog forwardly 19. This spring 27 normally holds the dog a ainst a stop 30 formed on the lever 24.

T ere is little or no resistance to this forward movement of the lever 24, because there is no returning spring attached to the latter, and hence the pull of the link 17 first causes a lateralor bodily movement of the dog toward the front of the machine. ment is arrested by the engagement of the lever 24 with the rear side of the rack 4, or by the engagement of a stop-finger 30 upon the lever with a stud 30 upon the framework of the machine; the top of said lever being formed into a hook 31, to catch over the top of the rack, to prevent jumping thereof at the back-spacing operation. Continual downward pull upon the link is now effective against tension of the spring 27, to swing tlie1logabout the pivot 22 from the Fig. 1 tothe Fig. 2 position, to throw the rack and carriage back fora letter space; this movement of the dog being arrested by a stop 32 formed thereon, tobear against the face ofthe main lever 24.

It will be understood that at the conclusion of the back spacingmoVementof the dog,

Fig.2, the. rack is ositively arrested, because it cannot force tie dog farther about the pivot 22, and cannot jump over the tooth of the dog.

Upon relief of the key 13 from pressure, a 1

spring 33 connected to arm 16 lifts the key and the link 17 and iirst swings the main lever 24 backwardly from the Fig. 5 position to the Fig. 4 position, to permit the dog lever 20 to escape from the rack; when-upon said This move-' spring 33, aided by spring 27, swings the dog to the left along the rack from the Fig 2 to the normal Fig. 1. position.

Preferably there is provided a latch 34 pivoted at 35 upon the main lever or rocker 24, and pressed by a saring 36 against the rear face of the rack 4. lhis latch has aslight projection 01' tooth 37, which is normally in the path of the dog tooth 21, to prevent the latter-from rocking about the pivot 22, as will be understood from Fig; 4. The dog however escapes this latch in the Fig. 5 position, so that it may vibrate freely from the Fig. 1 to the Fig. 2 position. Upon the relief of the finger key, the dog, which now overlaps the latch (Fig; 2) presses the latch backwardly out'of the way, so that the latch cannot oppose the swinging of the dog to its normal Fig. 1 position. I

i To prevent back lash of the escapement 'wheel' 10 at the back-spacing operation,

there is pivoted at 38 upon the framework 26 a-dog 39 having a'finger 40, Fig. 6, to engage a perforation 41, Fig. 4, formed in the main lever 24, whereby upon the move- .5

mentof the main lever 24 to the Fig. 5 positionfthe dog 39 is swung from the Fig. 6 to the Fig. 7 position, to engage the adjacent tooth of the wheel 10, and lock the same against backward movement.

It will be seen that the doglever 20 is supported against depression by the rack,,since owing to the pivot mounted at 22 directly under the tooth of the dog, the latter cannot descend, but must swing substantially in the direction of the rack movement; and this swinging movement is limited by the stop 32. The movement of the dog lover and the main lever 24 backwardly away from the rack is limited by the engagement of the edge of the main lever with the stop 30'. The pivots 22 and 25 taken together form a universal joint for the dog upon. which it can swing in the described four direct ions.

Variations may be resorted to within the scope of the invention, and portions of the im rovements may be used without others.

aving thus described my invention, I claim:

1. In a typewriting machine, the combination with a power-driven carriage having an escapement rack, of a back-spacing dog normallyat one side of the rack, and a backs acing key connected to means to move said 0g sidewise into engagement with the rack,

.then in a direction to space the rack backwardly, then sidewise out of engagement with the rack,'and then back to normal posi- 3 tion; a stop being provided to limit the rackactuating stroke of the dog, and the latter being supported against depression by the rack.

2. In a typewriting machine, the combination with a power-driven carriage havingan escapement rack, of a back-spacing dog HOP 'tion with a power-driven carriage having mallyat one side of the rack, and a baeke spacing key connected to means to look the rack against jumping up and to move said. dog sidewise into engagement with the rack, then in a direction to space the rack backwardly, then. sidewise out of engagement With the rack, and then back to normal position; a stop being provided to limit the rackaetuating stroke of the dog, and the latter heirw su J orted. a ainst de ression bv the rack.

3. In a typewriting machine, the combination with a pmver-driven. ei'trriage having an escapement rack or series of teeth, of a haekspacing dog normally at one side of the rack, a baek-s 'iar-ing key connected. to means to move said dog sidewise. into engagement With the rack, and then in. a'direetion to space the rack haclcwardly, stops being provided to, limit the recited movements of the dog, and a sning device elleetive to return the key an move the (log sidewise out of engagement with the rack, and then back to normal position; stops being' provided. to limit the last two movements of the dog, and the latt n being supported against depression hy the rack.

4. In a typewriting maehn e, the combinaeseapement rack or series of teeth, oi" a had-:- spacing dog normally at one ,sideol' the raeh and pivot ally supported for universal movement and having an operating arm, and means, including a hey connected to said arm, for causing said arm to move said. dog upon its pivotal support, 'lirst laterally into engagement with therael-I, then in a direetion to hack-space the eitrriago, then laterally out ol engagenn-ntwith the rack, and then haelt to normal position.

5. In a tyj'iewritingi; machine, the eonihinationwith a power-driven mrriago having an escapeinent rael; or series oi teeth, oi? a hackspacing dog normally at one sideol the reel:

and. pivotally supported for universal movement and having an op rating arm, means, including a hey oonnrrind to said arm, lor causing said arm to movo said dog upon its pivotal support, lirst laterally into eng rnent with the rack, then in a direetion to haelospaee the carriage, then laterally out or" engagement with the raelc, and then haul. to

normal position, and a stop lo limit the raclo I actuating stroke of the dog.

6. In a typowriting machine, tin oomhination with a power-driven oarri e having an. escapen'ient rack or series ol' trrth, ol a hack- P cing lllll'lmllly at one side ol tho rack and piwitally supported l'or universal movement and having an operating; :"rin, inrans, including a key connected to aid arm, for causing said arm to move said dog upon its pivotal sii ')poi't, 'lirst laterally into engagement with the rack, then in a direction to hack-space the carriage/then laterally out ofengagement with the rack, and then back to normal position, a stop to limit the rack-aetuating stroke of the dog, and a stop to lim it the movement of the dog into engagel'nent with the rack.

7 111 a typewriting machine, the combination with a power-driven carriage having an eseapement-raek or series of teeth, of a hack.- spacing dog normally at one side of the rank and pivotally supported for universal movement and having an operating arm, meansi, including a key-operated link eonneeted to said arm, for eausii'ig said arm to move said dog upon its pivotal support, first laterally into engagel'nent with the rack, and then in a direction to back space the carriage, and a spring deviee acting through said link to move the dog both laterally out oi o1'igage-.

ment with the rack and hack to normal position.

8. In. a typewriting maehine, the combi nation with a power-driven carriage having an eseapen'ient rack or series of teeth, of a main lever pivoted adjacent to the rack, a hack-spacing dog-lever pivoted to said main lever, the pivot of the dog-lever being transverse to that ol the main lever to permit movement of the dog-lover hoth laterally into and out ol the rack and also loi'igitudinally of thorack, and means to client movement oi the dog-lever-ahout said )lVOtS in alternation, to move the dog-lever ii rs't into on gagement with the rack, then in a direction to drive the carriage back, then out ol engagement with the rank, and then back to normal position. i

9. in a typewriting machine, the combination With a power-driven carriage having a escapement rack or series of teeth, 01' a main lever pivoted adjacent to the rack, a hackspacing dog-levor pivoted to said main lever,

the pivot ol' the dog-lever being transverse to that ol the main lever to peri'nlt movement 01' the dog-lever both laterally into and out of the rank and also longitudinally ol the l the'rach, and then hack to normal position,

moans lining provided to cooperate with. said dog-lover to prevent overthrow ol the earrange at tho lmek-spaeing operation.

10. in a typewriting machine, the eoinhination with a {)(NGF-(ll'lVOJl earriag-ii having an escapement raok or series of teeth, of a main lover or carrier pivoted ad acent to the raok, a hack-spacing dog-lever pivoted upon 1 said lnain lever, the pivot ol'tho dog-lever hei ing trai'isverse to that of the main lever to permit movement of tho dog-lever both laterally into and out ol the rack and also longitudinally ol' the rack, said dog lover having an arm, and key-o 'ieii'atr-id means for apn ing power to said arm to turn the dog about said pivots in. alternation, first to move into engagement with the rack and then to drive the carriage back.

11. In a typewritin machine, the combination with a power riven carriage having an escapement rack or series of teeth, of a main lever or carrier pivoted ad acent to the rack, a back-spacing dog-lever pivoted uponsaid main lever, the pivot of the dog-lever being transverse to that of the main lever to permit movement'of the dog-lever both lat- .erally into and out of the rack and also longitudinally of the rack, said dog lever having an arm, key-operated means for applying power to said arm to turn the dog about said pivots in alternation, first to move into engagement with the rack and then to drive the carriage back, and yielding means to move said dogs about said pivots in alterna having an. arm,' key-operated means for applying power to said arm to turn the dog about said pivots in alternation, first to move into engagement with the rack and then to drive the carriage-back, and yielding means to move said dogs about said pivots in alternation, first out of engagement with the rack, and then back to normal position; said dog-lever constructed to lock the carriage against overthrow at the back-spacing operation.

13. In a typewriting machine, the combination witha power-driven carriage having an escapeinent rack or series of teeth, of a main lever or carrier pivoted adjacent to the rack, a back-spacing dog-lever pivoted upon said main lever, the pivot of the dog-lever being transverse to that of the main lever to )ermit movement of the dog-lever both laterally into and out of the rack and also longitudinally of the rack, said dog lever having an arm, keywperated means for applying power to said arm to turn the dog about said pivots in alternation, first to move into engagement withthe melt and thento drive the carriage back, and a spring acting through said arm and ell'ective to return the main lever to normal position.

14. In a typewriting machine, the co1nbination with a power-driven carriage having an escapemcnt rack or series of teeth, of a main lover or carrier pivoted adjacent to the rack, a back-spacing dog-lever pivoted upon said main lever, the pivot of the dog-lever being transverse to that of the main lever to ermit movement of the dog-lever both aterally into and out of the rack and also longitudinally of the rack, said dog-lever having an arm, keyoperated means for applying power to said arm to turn the dog about said pivots in alternation, first to move into engagement with the rack and then to drive the carriage back, and a spring acting through said arm and effective to return the main lever to normal position, and also tending to turn said dog-lever about its pivot back to normal position.

15. In a typewriting machine, the combination with a power driven carriage having an eseapement rack or series of teeth, of a main lever mounted to vibrate across the rack, a back-spacing dog-lever pivoted on said m in lever and movable laterally therewith into engagement with the rack, and a key-operated device engaging said dog-lever to act first upon the main lever and cause it to swing the dog-lever laterally into engagen1ent with the rack, and then upon the doglover to turn it about its own pivot and cause it to back-space the carriage.

16. In a typewriting machine, the combination with a power-driven carriage having an esoapement rack or series of teeth, of a main lever mounted to vibrate across the, rack, a backspacing dog lcx'er pivoted on said main lever and movable laterally therewith into engagement with the rack, a keyoperateddevice, engaging said dog-lever to act first upon'the main lever and cause it to swing the dog-lever laterally into engagement with the rack, and then upon the dog- "lever to turn it about its own pivot and cause it to back-space the carriage, and a stop ongaging the dog-lever to limit the backward movement of the carriage.

17. In a typewriting machine,-the con l nation with a power-driven carriage having, an escapement rack or series of teeth, of a main lever mounted to vibrate across the rack, a back-spacing dog-lever pivoted on said main lever and movable laterally therewith into engagement with the rack, a keyoperated device engaging said dog-lever to act first upon the main lover and cause it to swing the dog-lever laterally into engagement with the rack, and then upon the doglever to turn it about its own pivot and cause it to back-space the carriage, and'a stop ongaging the dog-lever to limit the backward movement of the carriage; the dog-lever being laterally movable out of the rack after the carriage-retracting 0 eration, and yielding means bein provided to return the doglever and main ever to'normal positions.

18. In a typewriting machine, the combination with a power-driven carriage having an escapement rack, of a main lever pivoted to vibrate across the rack, a doe Fever pivoted on said main lever to vibrate along the rack, the dog upon said dog-lever normally standing at one side of the rack, an arm on said dog lever, a key-operated link or device connected to said arm in position to vibrate the main lever to carry the dog laterally into engagement with therack, and in position also to vibrate the dog-lever to back-space the rack, and a stop to limit the rack-actuating stroke of the dog-lever.

19. In a typewriting machine, thecombination with a power-driven carriage having an escapcment rack, of a main lever pivoted to vibrate across the rack, a dog-lever pivoted on said main lever to vibratealong the rack, the dog upon said dog-lever normally standing at one side of the rack, an arm on said dog lever,a key-operated link or device connected to said arm in position to vibrate the main lever to carry the dog laterally into engagement with the rack, and in position also to vibrate the dog-lever to back-space the rack, a stop to limit the rack-actuating stroke of the dog-lever, and a spring tending to turn the dog to its normal position rela tively to the main lever.

20. In a typewriting machine, the combination with a powcr-driven carriage having an escapement rack, of a main lever pivoted to vibrate across the rack, a dog-lever piv, oted on said main lever to vibrate along the rack, the dog upon said dog-lever normally stai iding at one side of the rack, an arm on said dog lover, a key-operated link or device connected to said arm in position to vibrate the main lever to carry the dog laterally into engagement with the rack, and in position also to vibrate the dog-lever to back-space the rack, a stop to limit the rack-actuating stroke of the dog-lever, and a spring tending to turn the dog to its normal position relatively to the main lever; said spring carried by said link on the opposite side of the dog-v lever pivot from said arm.

2].. In a-typewriting machine, the combination with a 1')OW0l'-(lI'lVOI1 carriage having an escapement rack, of a main lever pivoted to vibrate across the rack, a dog-lever pivoted onsaidmain lever to vibrate along the rack, the dog upon said dog-lever normally standing at one side of the rack, an arm on said dog lover, a key-operatod link or device connected to said arm in position to vibrate the main. lover to carry the dog laterally into engagement with the rack, and in position also to vibrate the dog-lever to back-space the rack, a stop to limit the rack-actuating stroke of the dog-lever, a spring tending to turn the dog to its normal position. relatively to the main lover, and a spring connectml to said link to return the .main lever to normal position.

22. .111 a typcwriting machine, the combination with a pmwndriveh carriage having an eseapen'ienl '|'ar -.k,'ol" a main lever pivoted I to vibrate across the rack, a dog-lever pivoted on said main lever to vibrate along the rack, the dog upon said dog-levef'normaliy standing at one side of the rack, an arm on said dog-lever, a key-operated link or device connected to said arm in position to vibrate the main lever to carry the dog laterally into engagement with the rack, and in position also to vibrate the dogdever to back-space the rack, and a stop to limit the raek-actnating stroke of the dog-lever; said rack being releasable, and said main lever having a catch to engage said rack to prevent jumping thereof at the back-spacing operation.

23. In a typewriting machine, the combination with a power-driven carriage having an escapement rack or series of teeth, of a main lever mounted to vibrate across the rack, stops to limit the vibration of said lever,'a back-spacing dog-lever pivoted on said main lever and movable laterally therewith into engagement with the rack and provided with an operating arm, a key-operated device engaging said arm to act first upon the main lever and to cause it to swing the dog-lever laterally into engagement with the rack, and then upon the dog-lcver to turn it about its own pivot and cause it to backspace the carriage, stops to limit the vibra tions of the dog-lever upon its own pivot,

and yielding means to return the main lever and dog-lever to normal positions; the dog lever being sup porter against depression by the rack to prevent overthrow of the latter.

24. In a typewriting nmehine, the combination with a power-dr-iwn cirriage having an escapement rack or series oi" teeth, of a main lever mounted to vibrate across the rack, stops to limit the vibration of said lever, a back-spacing dog-lever pivoted on said main lever and movable laterally therewith into engagement with the'rack and provided with an operating arm, a key-operated device engaging said arm to act first upon the main lever and to cause it toswing thc dog-leverlaterally into engagement with the rack, and then upon the doglevcr to turn it about its own pivot and cause it to backspace the carriage, stops to limit the vibrations of the dog-lever upon its own pivot. yielding means to return the main lever and dog-lever to normal positions, the dog-lever being supported against depression by the rack to prevent overthrow of the latter, and a latch to prevent pren'ialure movement of the dog-lever along the rack at the depression of the key.

25. In a typewriting machine, the combination with a power-driven carriage having an escapement rack or series of teeth, of a back-spz'teing dognormally at one side of the rack and pivotally supported for universal movement and having an operating arm, and means, including a key connected to said arm, for causing said arm to move said dog upon its pivotal su port, first laterally into engagement with t e rack, then in a direction to back-space the carriage, then laterally out of engagement with the rack, and

then back to normal position; a latch being lever, the ivot of the dog-lever being transverse to tiat of the main lever to permit movement of the dog-lever both laterally into and out ofthe rack and also longitudinally,

of the rack, means to effect movement of the dog-lever about said pivots in alternation, to move the dog-lever first into engagement with the rack, then in a direction to drive the carriage back, then out of engagement with the rack, and then back to normal position,

and a latch pivoted upon said main lever to guard against accidental movement of the dog-lever along the rack before engaging with the rack.

; 27, In a t'ypewriting machine, the combi nation with a power-driven carriage having an escapement rack, a pinion meshing therewith and an escapement wheel connected to the pinion by a pawl-and-ratchet mechanism,

of a-m'ain lever, a back-spacing dog-lever PIVOlBGCltO said mam lever, the pivot of the dog lever being transverse to that of the main leverto permit movement of the dog- .lever both laterally into and out of the rack and also longitudinally of the rack, means to effect movement of the dog-lever about said pivots in alternation, to move the dog-lever first into engagement with the rack, then in a direction to drive the carriage back, then out of engagement with the rack, and then back to normal position, and a dog operated by said main lever to engage said escapem nt wheel to prevent backward movement thereof at the back-spacing movement of the carriage.

an escapenient rack, a pinion meshing therewith and an escapement Wheel connected to the pinion by a pawl-and-ratchet mechanism of a main lover, a back-spacing dog-lever pivoted to said main lever, the ivot of the doglever being transverse to t at of the main lever to permit movement of the dog-lever both laterally into and out of the rack and also longitudinally of therack, means to effect movement of the doglever about said pivots in alternation, to move the do -lever first into engagement with the rack, t ion in a direction to drive the carriage back, then out of engagement with the rack, and then back to normal position, and a dog operated by said main lever to en age said escapement wheel to prevent bac ward movement thereof at the back-spacing movement of the carriage; said dog ivoted upon the framework and one end tliercof being engaged by said main lever to swing the other end thereof into the path of the wheel teeth.

lVILLIAM F. HELMOND.

Witnesses:

W. M. BYORKMAN, LYMAN D. BROUGIITON.

In a typewriting machine, the combination with a. power-driven carriage having. 

